Fire hydrant

ABSTRACT

A fire hydrant having a water filled housing and easily removable operating valves. The valves are carried on bolted-in assemblies and provided with screw-in valve seats against which the valves operate. The valve assembly has a removable valve carrier which permits substitution of slow opening or quick opening valve parts.

United States Patent Page 1451 July 18, 1972 [54] FIRE HYDRANT 991,559 /1911 Symons ..137/300 x 1, ,9 m1 Edwardl'azewamcreewhf- 135,333 111331 X33233??? 33153285? f all [73] Avssgnee 3: Manuhm'fing Cmmy C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 193,028 12/1923 Great Britain 251/222 [22] 1969 1,044,900 /1966 Great Britain ..2s1/214 [21] App]. No.: 887,955 1 i Primary Examiner-M. Cary Nelson Assistant Examiner-Richard Gerard [S2] U.S. Cl ..l37/283, 251/214, 251/222, Atmmey -Townsend and Townsend 251/357 [51] IIILCI ..E03b 9/04,F16k 31/50 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field ofSearch ..251/2l4, 221,222, 357;

277/; 137/272 294, 296 299, 300, 280' A fire hydrant having a water filled houslng and easily rernova- 282484 289 ble operating valves. The valves are earned on bolted-1n assemblies and provided with screw-in valve seats against which the valves operate. The valve assembly has a removable valve [56] References Cited carrier which pennits substitution of slow opening or quick v UNITED STATES PATENTS Opening valve P 607,591 7/1898 Miller ....251/357 X 6 Claim, 4 Drawingfigules IO 22 I6 12 22 8 2s 34 3O 38 f p 3s i 32 PATENIEnJuusmz 3,677 2 2 SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR. EDWARD PAGE ATTORNEYS type which is preferred for use in mild climates. The wet barrel type generally comprises one or more outlets or hose connections each of which is separately valved.

The present invention resides in an improved wet barrel type hydrant in which the valve is carried on a bolted sleeve,

the major portion of which is internal so that the hydrant has a generally streamline appearance. In the present invention the valve stem is provided with square threads along a portion thereof for reciprocating the valve to open and close the hydrant outlets. The valve stem is sealed against the water pressure by means of a stem bushing having a pair of circumferential grooves for O-rings in sealing engagement with the valve stem.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the fire hydrant comprises a vertical, substantially cylindrical hollow hydrant body having a flange at one end thereof for connection to a source of water under pressure. The hydrant body has at least a pair of horizontally opposed openings, one of which has a valve seat threadedly engaged therein, the other having a valve stem carrier bolted to the outside thereof and extending inward. The valve stem passes through the carrier and has a valve affixed adjacent the valve seat for sealing the opening. The other end of the stem protrudes from the carrier for operating the valve. The valve stem carrier is provided with an OFring bushing for sealing the valve stem, and is further provided with a stern nut for engaging the threaded portion of the valve stem for operation of the valve. The valve carrier is rotatably mounted on the end of the valve stem inside the hydrant and is provided with a valve carrier which permits substitution of valve parts for slow opening and quick opening of the hydrant.

The present invention provides an improved wet barrel hydrant construction of generally streamline appearance. The structure is simple in construction, is readily disassembled, and also permits changing of the valve type from slow acting to fast acting. The entire valve structure may be easily removed from the hydrant for servicing or replacement as is necessary.

Other features of the improved hydrant design will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a fire hydrant of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the outlet portions of the hydrant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a hydrant outlet showing the quick opening valve; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a large diameter outlet showing a quick opening valve structure.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which the same reference Figures refer to identical parts in each of the several views, the fire hydrant of the present invention comprises a substantially cylindrical hydrant body having a plurality of valve openings at 12 therein with hose outlet openings 14 diametrically opposite the valve openings 12. The valve openings 12 are provided with substantially vertical machined surfaces 16 to which the valve stem sleeves 18 may be bolted. The machined surface 16 is drilled and provided with studs 20 to which the nuts 22 are tightened in order to hold the valve stem sleeve assembly tightly in place.

The valve stem assembly comprises the valve stem sleeve 18 made up of a flange-like portion 24 adapted to be bolted to the machined area 16. Extending from the flange section inward toward the hydrant and through the opening 12 is the valve stem housing 26 through which the valve stem 28 extends. The inward end of the stem housing is threaded and a valve stem nut 30 having a threaded exterior portion for engaging the end of the stem housing and internal threads for engaging a threaded portion 32 of the valve stem. The threaded portion of the valve stem is provided with square threads for superior loading characteristics and superior valve action. At the outer portion of the valve stem sleeve assembly, a stern bushing 34 is threadedly inserted into the stem sleeve flange. The stem bushing is provided with a pair of O-ring grooves 36, the 0- rings in the grooves being in sealing engagement'withthe smooth portion 38 of the valve stem.

The valve stem is an elongate cylindrical operating 'shaft having the previously described smooth portion 38 and a square-threaded portion 32. The portion of the valve stem inward of the hydrant is machined with a short machinethreaded portion 40 for the mounting of the valve carrier 42 and its locking thereon by lock nut 64. As may be more clearly seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 the end ofthe valve stem 28 adjacent the short threaded section 40 is provided with an O-ring groove 44 so that the O-ring 46 within the groove will be in sealing engagement with the internal bore in the valve carrier.

The valve carrier 42 comprises generally a'valve carrier body machined to accommodate the valve 48. One of the features of the present invention is the permissible utilization of different valve carrier assemblies to accommodate either a shallow angle valve such as is illustrated in FIG. 2 or a steep angle valve such as is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The valves numbered 48a and 48b in FIG. 2 are designed for slow opening action. The valves designated 48c and 48d in FIGS. 3 and 4 by virtue of the shallow angle of the portion of the valve in contact with the valve seat 50 are quick opening since the valve clears the valve seat with relatively few turns of the valve stem.

The valve seat 50 is machined into the valve seat insert 52, the insert comprising an inwardly extending threaded portion 54 which is screwed into the hose outlet opening 14 and an outwardly extending threaded portion 56 to which the hose is coupled when the hydrant is placed in operation. When the hydrant is not in use a streamlined cap 58 is screwed in place over the threaded outer portion 56 of the valve seat insert to keep dirt and other foreign matter from fouling the valve port.

The valve 48 is held in place against the valve carrier by means of a large diameter, heavy valve gasket 60. This gasket passes over the threaded end 40 of the valve stem, a washer 62 follows and valve carrier lock nut 64 is used to screw the valve gasket tightly to hold the valve securely in place on the valve carrier. A hole 66 is provided in the end of the threaded portion of the valve stem to permit a cotter pin to be inserted through to preclude the valve carrier lock nut and the valve from being loosened unintentionally.

The ease by which the present hydrant may be repaired or converted may be seen by reference to FIG. 1. The valve stem sleeve assembly 18 may be removed from the hydrant by loosening the nut 22 to remove the entire sleeve assembly including the valve carrier 42 and the other valve parts. The hydrant body 10 is' cast with large openings 12 in one side of the hydrant so that the valve may be removed therethrough when the valve stem sleeve assembly is unbolted. The ports 14 in the hydrant body opposite the ports 12 are threaded to receive the valve seat insert 52 permitting easy removal of a damaged valve seat or replacement of the valve seat insert for a slow opening style valve with a fast opening style valve. This may be accomplished easily by unbolting the valve stem as sembly and replacing it with another having the proper valve part assembled to the end of the valve stem.

These and other modifications of my invention may be practiced, it being understood that the form of my invention as described above is to be taken as a preferred example of the same. Such description has been by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Iclaim:

1. A fire hydrant comprising a housing having a flange at one end thereof for connection to a water supply; at least one valve stem extending through said housing, one end of the valve stem having a smooth cylindrical surface and the other end provided with screw threads: a valve head received on said valve stem and fastened thereto by means of said screw threads; saidhousing having a threaded first opening therein concentric with said valve stem; a valve seat threadedly received in the first opening and aligned with the valve head for sealing the opening; said valve seat having a threaded extension thereon extending outside the housing for receiving a closure; said valve head formed to removably receive a valve sealing member complementary to the valve seat for sealing the opening by contacting the valve seat; said hydrant having a second opening opposite the first opening; a supporting sleeve mounted in said second opening for receiving the valve stem therein; sealing means threadedly received in the supporting sleeve and surrounding the smooth cylindrical surface of the stem, said stem also provided with operating threads for moving the valve head into and out of contact with the valve seat; and a threaded insert received in one end of the supporting sleeve with the operating threads of the valve stem engaged therewith, the sole support for said valve stem in the valve open positions.

2. The fire hydrant of claim 1 in which the portion of said 'valve stem having said screw threads is of .smaller diameter than the portion of said valve stem having operating threads, and said valve head is seated in engagement with said screw threads and said operating threads.

3. A fire hydrant comprising a vertical, hollow hydrant body adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of water under pressure; said hydrant body having a pair of horizontally opposed openings therein; a valve seat threadedly engaged within one of the openings and removable from the exterior of the body; a valve stem carrier bolted on the outside of the other opening and extending inward; a valve stem mounted in the carrier and extending outside the carrier; said valve stem including a portion threadedly engaged within an insert received within the valve stem carrier, said carrier including sealing means for preventing leakage from the hydrant body wherein said sealing means includes a threaded nipple en-- gaged with said valve stem carrier, said nipple having a pair of sealing rings disposed within spaced apart grooves in the nipple, so that the rings seal the space between the nipple and the valve stem; and a valve member affixed to the valve stem and coacting with the valve seat for closing the opening against the flow of water, said valve member adapted to carry a sealing member complementary to the valve seat, said sealing member removable from said valve member to permit changing the rate ofclosure of the valve.

4. A fire hydrant comprising a housing having a flange at one end thereof for connection to a water supply; at least one valve stem extending through said housing, one end of the valve stem having a smooth cylindrical surface and the other end provided with screw threads; a valve head received on said valve stem and fastened thereto by means of said screw threads; said housing having a threaded first opening therein concentric with said valve stem; a valve seat threadably received in the first opening and aligned with the valve head for sealing the opening; said valve seat having a threaded extension thereon extending outside the housing for receiving a closure; said valve head formed to removably receive a valve sealing member complementary to the valve seat for sealing the opening by contacting the valve seat; said hydrant'having a second opening opposite the first opening; a supporting sleeve mounted in said second opening for receiving the valve stem therein; sealing means threadedly received in the supporting sleeve, surrounding the smooth cylindrical surface of the stern and including a threaded nipple engaged with the support sleeve, wherein said nipple has a pair of sealing rings disposed within spaced apart grooves in the nipple, so that the ring seals the space between the nipple and the valve stem; said stem also provided with operating threads for moving the valve head into and out of contact with the valve seat; and a threaded insert received In one end of the supporting sleeve with the operating threads of the 'valve stem engaged therewith.

5. The fire hydrant of claim 4 in which the valve head is recessed for receiving the threaded end-of the valve stem therethrough, said threaded end having an annular groove therein for receiving a sealing ring to prevent the passage-of water through the valve head.

6. The tire hydrant of claim 4 in which the valve head comprises a sealing member receiver mounted on the threaded end of the valve stem, said stem having a sealing ring contacting the sealing member receiver, the valve sealing member mounted on the sealing memberv receiver, and a sealing member retainer for holding the valve sealing member in place-on the receiver mounted on the valve stem end. 

1. A fire hydrant comprising a housing having a flange at one end thereof for connection to a water supply; at least one valve stem extending through said housing, one end of the valve stem having a smooth cylindrical surface and the other end provided with screw threads: a valve head received on said valve stem and fastened thereto by means of said screw threads; said housing having a threaded first opening therein concentric with said valve stem; a valve seat threadedly received in the first opening and aligned with the valve head for sealing the opening; said valve seat having a threaded extension thereon extending outside the housing for receiving a closure; said valve head formed to removably receive a valve sealing member complementary to the valve seat for sealing the opening by contacting the valve seat; said hydrant having a second opening opposite the first opening; a supporting sleeve mounted in said second opening for receiving the valve stem therein; sealing means threadedly received in the supporting sleeve and surrounding the smooth cylindrical surface of the stem, said stem also provided with operating threads for moving the valve head into and out of contact with the valve seat; and a threaded insert received in one end of the supporting sleeve with the operating threads of the valve stem engaged therewith, the sole support for said valve stem in the valve open positions.
 2. The fire hydrant of claim 1 in which the portion of said valve stem having said screw threads is of smaller diameter than the portion of said valve stem having operating threads, and said valve head is seated in engagement with said screw threads and said operating threads.
 3. A fire hydrant comprising a vertical, hollow hydrant body adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of water under pressure; said hydrant body having a pair of horizontally opposed openings therein; a valve seat threadedly engaged within one of the openings and removable from the exterior of the body; a valve stem carrier bolted on the outside of the other opening and extending inward; a valve stem mounted in the carrier and extending outside the carrier; said valve stem including a portion threadedly engaged within an insert received within the valve stem carrier, said carrier including sealing means for preventing leakage from the hydrant body wherein said sealing means includes a threaded nipple engaged with said valve stem carrier, said nipple having a pair of sealing rings disposed within spaced apart grooves in the nipple, so that the rings seal the space between the nipple and the valve stem; and a valve member affixed to the valve stem and coacting with the valve seat for closing the opening against the flow of water, said valve member adapted to carry a sealing member complementary to the valve seat, said sealing member removable from said valve member to permit changing the rate of closure of the valve.
 4. A fire hydrant comprising a housing having a flange at one end thereof for connection to a water supply; at least one valve stem extending through said housing, one end of the valve stem having a smooth cylindrical surface and the other end provided with screw threads; a valve head received on said valve stem and fastened thereto by means of said screw threads; said housing having a threaded first opening therein concentric with said valve stem; a valve seat threadably received in the first opening and aligned with the valve head for sealing the opening; said valve seat having a threaded extension thereon extending outside the housing for receiving a closure; said valve head formed to removably receive a valve sealing member complementary to the valve seat for sealing the opening by contacting the valve seat; said hydrant having a second opening opposite the first opening; a supporting sleeve mounted in said second opening for receiving the valve stem therein; sealing means threadedly received in the supporting sleeve, surrounding the smooth cylindrical surface of the stem and including a threaded nipple engaged with the support sleeve, wherein said nipple has a pair of sealing rings disposed within spaced apart grooves in the nipple, so that the ring seals the space between the nipple and the valve stem; said stem also provided with operating threads for moving the valve head into and out of contact with the valve seat; and a threaded insert received in one end of the supporting sleeve with the operating threads of the valve stem engaged therewith.
 5. The fire hydrant of claim 4 in which the valve head is recessed for receiving the threaded end of the valve stem therethrough, said threaded end having an annular groove therein for receiving a sealing ring to prevent the passage of water through the valve head.
 6. The fire hydrant of claim 4 in which the valve head comprises a sealing member receiver mounted on the threaded end of the valve stem, said stem having a sealing ring contacting the sealing member receiver, the valve sealing member mounted on the sealing member receiver, and a sealing member retainer for holding the valve sealing member in place on the receiver mounted on the valve stem end. 